The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Hey Ruruk, I have a request."

On a certain day off, after we had gotten used to the mansion.

As I was researching magic formulas in the backyard, Saaya came holding a letter tightly.

Our party [Rozewill] has one complete rest day per week.

For adventurers who do physical work, resting is also part of the job. On this day, we completely prohibit adventuring activities unless there's a special reason. No dungeons, no quests, and no intense training either.

As a result, everyone is free and spends time as they like.

Elenora and I immerse ourselves in developing new magic, Seori just lazes around, and Saaya and Nagi often go shopping or have lunch with friends. Punisuke is busy with culinary research.

It was rare for Saaya to call out to me like this on a day off. We usually do our own things separately.

After confirming that the magic formula I was trying had failed, I said,

"Yes, yes, what is it?"

"I got a letter from my father, saying if I have time, why don't I come home? He wants to give you the reward he's been keeping, so he'd like us to find an opportunity to come back~"

"I see. Whatever the reason, he wants to see Saaya's face."

"Well, that's about it. Can you take me to the town of Shaboom?"

Since Saaya and I exchange letters, Viscount Schreine probably already knows that we've become S-rank adventurers.

Indeed, it might be necessary to show our faces and report in person.

"Alright. Should we go now? I'm ready anytime."

"Yeah. Ah, I'll go ask everyone else if they want to come too."

"Okay. Let's meet in the courtyard then."

"Okay~"

Saaya runs off in high spirits.

Since we're just showing our faces to the viscount, we don't need any preparation other than souvenirs, so I decided to wait in the courtyard. I always keep souvenirs for homecoming in my item box anyway.

I inform the dragon-race servant waiting at the entrance of the courtyard that we're going on a day trip to the Kingdom of Mataisa.

After waiting a bit, Saaya comes back with Nagi and Seori.

"What about Elenora and Punisuke?"

"They both said they're not interested if there's no fighting."

"That's so like them."

Well, it's understandable since we're not really going to do anything there.

"Are Seori and Nagi okay with this on their day off? We're just meeting Saaya's parents."

"Nagi rather wants to greet them."

"I see. What about Seori?"

"Fool! A foolish question! I am the shadow of my lord... where you are, I am!"

This one's as expected.

Still a lonely chuunibyou as always.

"Alright. Then everyone come here -- 'Spatial Transfer'."

With that, we immediately transferred near Shaboom.

It's a place slightly off the main road, behind some rocks. There was no particular change in the environment, and we transferred without any problems.

Looking at the city walls from behind the rocks, the members let out exclamations.

"Home visits are instant now. Ruruk, you're really a lifesaver."

"Is this the Kingdom of Mataisa? It feels a bit chilly."

"I-I am of the supreme and true ancestor clan... I-I have no worries about human countries -- W-wait for me, master!"

The three different reactions are interesting.

As there seem to be no passersby at the moment, we move onto the main road and walk towards the gate.

Nagi, who's lightly dressed, rubs her arms and says,

"Bargia is warm. It's still cold here."

"That's right. Mataisa has four seasons, so this time of year is just before spring."

"I don't dislike seasons, but... Ruruk, I want something to wear over this."

"Here you go."

I take out a robe with zero defense power from my item box and hand it to her.

It's just barely big enough for Nagi to wear. She's going to have a hard time in winter.

As we approach the gate in the wall, the gate guards see my and Saaya's faces and stand at attention.

"Oh, it's Ruruk-sama and Saaya-sama! Welcome back!"

"Huh?"

We were unexpectedly recognized.

Indeed, I think the same gate guards were here when we left this town.

"You remember us even after more than half a year?"

"Of course! Especially Saaya-sama, who's a hero of Shaboom!"

"Me? Why?"

Saaya tilts her head in confusion. It was Elenora and I who defeated the demons in this town, and Saaya's involvement wasn't supposed to be public knowledge.

Then the gate guard said as if it was obvious,

"Don't be so modest! Saaya-sama is the first adventurer in continental history to become S-rank at the age of 10. Now in Shaboom... no, in the entire Kingdom of Mataisa, there's no one who doesn't know Saaya-sama's name!"

"I-I'm that well-known?"

"Yes! Saaya-sama's popularity knows no bounds. In our town of Shaboom, we sell many specialty products like 'Saaya Buns', 'Saaya Dango', 'Saaya Cookies', and more! Saaya-sama is the face of this town! The face!"

"What on earth are you doing!?"

Breaking news: Our companion has been commercialized.

"By the way, my recommendation is the 'Saaya Yaki'. There's a popular rumor that you get different benefits depending on whether you eat it from the head or the feet."

"It's a taiyaki system?!"

Saaya retorts with all her might.

Meanwhile, Nagi and I are laughing our heads off.

"Really? This isn't a joke, right?"

"Of course not. Please see for yourself. Also, by order of Count Ketaaru, Saaya-sama, the pride of our town, and all of your companions are exempt from the passage fee, so please proceed."

"Ugh, this is for real..."

Saaya clutches her stomach.

It's unbearable but too funny to describe how I feel. Hang in there, Saaya.

The moment we pass through the gate, the soldier shouts with all his might.

"Saaya-sama has returned~!"

Peep---!

There was even an unexpected announcement whistle.

At that moment, everyone near the gate focuses their attention on us. Or rather, on Saaya.

"It's Saaya-sama!"

"Is that person Saaya-sama!?"

"S-she's too beautiful to look at directly!"

"Mom! Look, it's the real thing!"

The citizens are in an uproar.

As we involuntarily stop in our tracks, they slowly inch closer.

"Can we ask for a handshake?"

"I want an autograph."

"Me too! I'd like one on my clothes and hat."

"Heheh. I want one directly on my body--"

"Eeek! 'Relative Transfer'!"

Ah, she ran away.

I didn't expect her to use a transfer skill in front of so many people... but well, it would be cruel to blame her.

Besides,

"She disappeared! As expected of an S-rank adventurer... the difference in speed is on another level."

"I thought Saaya-sama would be able to do at least this much."

"After all, she's the best in history."

"Alright, let's spread the word throughout the town. It's Saaya-sama's triumphant return!"

"Yeah!"

The citizens don't seem to find it strange at all.

They don't even glance at us, just run off somewhere.

"Pfft... poor Saaya..."

"I understand, but I don't think that's something you should say while holding your stomach laughing?"

"My lord, where has our comrade gone?"

"Ah. She's over there."

I point to the shadow of a nearby building.

She transferred, but only hid nearby.

We move out of sight and peek at Saaya hiding behind some wooden boxes.

She was clearly flustered and speaking with a trembling voice.

"W-why is this happening..."

"Are you okay?"

"...But it's strange, isn't it? I could understand if it was Ruruk or Elenora, but I've hardly done anything... I'm just a fake S-rank..."

Saaya held her head in her hands.

Well, regardless of actual achievements, a hero unprecedented in history was born from an otherwise unremarkable town. I can understand the excitement of the citizens.

"Can you move? At this rate, it's only a matter of time before they find you."

"Let's go right away! This is all wrong, I need to talk to my father immediately. Maybe if I tell him to stop using my name without permission, he can talk to Count Ketaaru and put a stop to this..."

"...Yeah, let's do that."

I can somewhat guess the situation... but there's no need to say it.

We use transfer to move out of sight and head to Viscount Schreine's residence.

"Father, I'm ho--"

"Oh! You're back, Saaya. Have you been well? Are you injured? Has anything been difficult?"

The Schreine family mansion had become quite tidy.

The once-neglected garden had been tidied up, there were guards at the gate, and maids were waiting at the entrance.

It no longer looked like the home of an impoverished noble.

The healthy-looking viscount who greeted Saaya as she entered the house was wearing a sash that said "I am Saaya's father".

Saaya freezes in place.

"Have you grown a bit taller? You look healthy, and it seems Ruruk-kun has kept his promise well. I don't recognize the children with you, are they perhaps new companions? I don't see Elenora-chan or the slime-kun, are they somewhere else?"

The viscount fires off questions in rapid succession.

Since Saaya seems to have forgotten how to breathe, I'll greet him first.

"It's been a while, Viscount. I'm glad to see you're doing well. Here's a souvenir from Bargia."

"Oh, thank you for your thoughtfulness. But you really are amazing, Ruruk-kun. To rise to S-rank in just half a year... I'm proud too."

"We were helped by luck as well. Are your wives also in good health?"

"Of course. I'll call them right away. Please, all of you come this way."

We are guided by the viscount himself to the reception room.

"Huh!? W-wait a minute, Father! What's with that outfit!? What's happening in this town!?"

"Hahaha, what are you saying, Saaya. There's nothing strange going on."

"Everything is strange! Why are you advertising that you're my father!? There are so many maids I've never seen before, where is this money coming from!?"

"Hahahaha"

The viscount continues walking, laughing and ignoring the questions.

As we sit down on the sofas in the reception room, the two wives also enter. They greet Saaya with smiles, the same warm and kind ladies as always.

As soon as Saaya takes a sip of the tea brought by a maid, she speaks with a tired voice.

"There's a lot I want to ask, but first, let me introduce you. These are my new party members, Nagi and Seori."

"I'm Nagi. I'm a swordswoman."

"S-Seori..."

"I've heard about you. Thank you for always being good friends with Saaya. She always writes in her letters that she enjoys spending time with you, so I'm really happy to meet you today."

"The pleasure is ours. We're grateful that you raised Saaya to be so straightforward."

Nagi seemed especially thankful, given that she was Saaya's best friend in her previous life.

In contrast, Seori is showing her shyness, shrinking back and unable to say anything. The viscount, probably having heard about her personality, doesn't force any conversation with Seori.

"Now then, Father. About what you wrote in the letter, please."

"Of course. I need to give Ruruk-kun the reward money I've been keeping from Count Ketaaru and the Adventurers' Guild."

Saying this, he orders a maid to bring a large coin purse.

"There are 2000 gold coins here. Please check if you'd like."

"That much? Thank you for your trouble."

I immediately check the contents.

There are 20 small bags, each containing 100 gold coins, all inside the large coin purse.

After quickly counting, I leave three of the small bags out and put the rest in my item box.

I return one of the bags to the viscount.

"I've confirmed it. Please accept this as a storage fee and for your trouble."

"Don't worry about it. You're Saaya's party, so you're like family."

"That's precisely why. This is an important place for me too."

"...You're not dating or anything, are you?"

"Stop with the intimidation skill, Father."

Although an ordinary person's intimidation wouldn't work on us, I can't help but smile wryly.

Saaya pouts slightly and says,

"There's nothing yet. We've only held hands a little."

"Ruruk-kun... it seems we need to have a long talk."

"It's your imagination."

I've had enough of overprotective parents with the Dragon King.

"As I said before, Viscount, I have no intention of laying a hand on a minor. Especially if she's a noble young lady."

"I believe in you, but... no matter how strong your self-control is, I think you'd be powerless against Saaya's charm."

"This is hopeless."

It seems I can't win with logic.

However, I understand that the viscount isn't seriously blaming me. He's probably just excited to see Saaya after so long.

I hold out the remaining two small bags and say,

"Changing the subject, Viscount, I have a request."

"What is it?"

"It's about Saaya's compulsory education. Would it be possible for you to talk to the important people at the Ladies' Academy?"

Compulsory education.

In this Kingdom of Mataisa, noble daughters must attend the Ladies' Academy for at least one year. My stepsister Lilith also has this obligation, which is why she moved to the royal capital.

Although Saaya has already succeeded as an adventurer, that doesn't exempt her from this obligation. The original agreement was that Saaya would leave the adventurer life in three years to attend the Ladies' Academy.

However, there's always a backdoor for everything.

When I relied on Luney Trading Company's information network, I found out that being enrolled in the Ladies' Academy doesn't necessarily mean attending classes. In special circumstances or for those already active in society, there's apparently a trick to just have your name enrolled.

Of course, this requires negotiating with the academy's administrators and making a certain donation to the academy as a prerequisite.

I don't have any connections with the Ladies' Academy, so I thought I'd ask the viscount to handle the negotiations and procedures.

I've also researched the going rate, so I'm well-prepared.

"I'm surprised. You've thought that far ahead?"

"I'm taking care of the young lady who carries the Schreine family name. It's only natural."

"Thank you. Saaya, do you intend to attend the academy?"

"No. I intend to live as an adventurer."

Saaya clearly answers that she has no intention of inheriting the family.

For a normal noble, the discontinuation of a title would be quite dishonorable, so they wouldn't be pleased.

But Viscount Schreine smiles.

"I see. Then there's no need to worry."

"Then Viscount, please use this as funds for the request."

"That's not necessary. A father who can't spend his own money for his daughter would be a failure as a parent."

"I understand. I apologize for overstepping."

If he says that, I can't insist.

In the end, I only gave him one small bag. That was the end of this topic.

"Well then, Father, let me ask you again. It seems various specialty products are being made using my name, but who gave permission for that--"

"Excuse me. Sir, you have a visitor."

"Oh, who is it?"

When the maid announces a visitor, the viscount immediately answers, as if escaping Saaya's gaze.

"It's Count Ketaaru, sir."

"What! Please show him in immediately."

"Certainly."

As the maid turns on her heel, the viscount immediately stands up.

"I'm sorry, Saaya. The count is here, so I need this room cleared. Ruruk-kun and the others, I apologize, but could you move to the guest room?"

"That's fine."

"It's okay, but at least tell me a little, Father! Who said it was okay to turn me into a product--"

"Come on, the count is coming. Move quickly!"

The viscount pushes us from behind, urging us on.

It seems he's temporarily deaf to his beloved daughter's voice, and Nagi and I were desperately trying to hold back our laughter.

In this way, we moved from the reception room to the guest room.

They prepared fresh tea for us, and we settled onto the sofas.

Seori has been sitting anxiously close to me the whole time, but Nagi, apparently visiting a noble's house for the first time, was looking at the furniture and paintings with great interest.

Saaya lets out a sigh.

"Sigh... This is no longer a hometown I can return to with peace of mind..."

"Hey Nagi, let's go buy some 'Saaya Yaki' later."

"Sounds good. Ruruk, are you the type to eat from the head or the feet?"

"I'm a feet guy. How about you, Nagi?"

"Nagi is a head-first type. By the way, Saaya is--"

"Huh?"

"It's nothing."

A demon appeared behind Saaya. Nagi and I fell silent.

While Nagi and I were fidgeting between wanting to tease her because the situation was too funny and wanting to leave her alone out of sympathy, a maid changed the atmosphere.

"Excuse me. Ruruk-sama, Count Ketaaru is calling for you."

"Eh, me?"

"Yes. He said he wants to speak with Ruruk-sama alone. Is that alright with you?"

"I understand, but... why me?"

Not Saaya, who's the hot topic right now, but just me?

Of course, I'd be more than happy to talk to someone who's become like a friend.

"Then, this way please."

"Okay. Well, I'll be back in a bit."

"Take care."

The maid guided me not to the reception room, but to another guest room.

Inside was the ever-muscular giant, Count Babel Ketaaru.

And next to him was a small old woman holding a staff. It was someone I'd never seen before.

Count Babel spread his arms and smiled. As usual, his appearance was like something out of a dramatic comic.

"Oh, Ruruk! It's been a while!"

"It's been a long time, Count Babel. I'm glad to see you're well."

"The body is capital. I'm relieved to see you haven't changed either. More than that, it seems you've been quite active. As your friend, I'm proud."

"I'm humbled. So, what brings you here today? You didn't call me just to greet me, did you?"

"Indeed. Actually, there's someone I want to introduce you to."

Saying this, the count bowed his head to the old woman next to him.

...This is the lord of this town doing so.

In other words, the old woman with the staff is at least in a higher position than a count.

I unconsciously straightened my back.

Seeing me like this, the old woman smiled faintly.

"Don't be so tense. Babel boy, please leave us."

"Yes. Then, I'll take my leave."

With that, Babel left the room. The maid who was waiting also left.

As the door closed, the old woman I was meeting for the first time waved her staff.

"'Sound Curtain'"

It's a sound-proofing magic.

It's the wind magic that Elenora always uses for private conversations.

I had never seen anyone use magic as skillfully as Elenora before.

But the magic this old woman cast was more refined than Elenora's. The efficiency, speed, and density of the magic power -- all of it was a level above Elenora's.

This old woman isn't just an old person with a staff. She's a 'staff-bearer' magician!

"Oh? Can you see magic power?"

The old woman looked at my reaction as if she had seen something interesting.

...Crap.

She saw through my intentions with just a slight movement of my eyes. What incredible insight.

However, I'm passing as a mystic arts user with magic deficiency.

I can't affirm that fact.

"What do you mean? More importantly, beautiful lady as radiant as the moon, may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

"Oh. It seems you know how to treat a lady."

The old woman smiled slyly and said,

"I am Dimaria Cardel. I serve as the court magician of the Kingdom of Mataisa and hold the position of 'Chief Education Officer'. I'm an honorary noble, but I hold the rank of marchioness."

A court magician!

And a marchioness to boot. She's a seriously big shot.

If I remember correctly, marchioness is the second highest noble rank in this country after duchess.

She's a woman and an honorary noble, which means it's a non-hereditary title, but marchioness is supposed to be the highest honorary title.

The duke title can only be held by relatives of the royal family, so marchioness is the highest position a common person can reach.

I immediately bent my knee.

The court magician before me is like an old lady version of Verugana with power. She could probably beat me up easily.

"Please forgive my ignorant rudeness. It's a pleasure to meet you, Marchioness Cardel. I am Ruruk, an adventurer--"

"I know. And in your position, there's no need to be overly humble even to me."

"...What do you mean?"

"Don't worry. I've heard about you from Verugana, Ruruk Muuteru, third son of the ducal family."

Dear Verugana,

If you had such an unpredictable court magician acquaintance, please let me know in advance.